‘Failed Nigerian asylum seeker’ has fourth child taken into care

Four boys whose 26-year-old Nigerian mother is thought to be a failed asylum seeker have been taken from her care after family court hearings.

The woman’s two oldest boys were placed for adoption six years ago. Her third son, now two, was placed for adoption 16 months ago. Now a judge has ruled that her eight-month-old son should also be placed for adoption.

Social workers had raised concerns about “physical chastisement” of the oldest boys and said the woman had been cautioned for child neglect. They said she had a history of mental health problems.

Judge Simon Wood has outlined detail of the case in a ruling on the future of the youngest boy, following a family court hearing in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The judge did not name the woman but said Sunderland City Council had responsibility for the youngest boy’s welfare.

He said the woman had children by three different men.

Judge Wood said the woman’s “current immigration status” was “believed to be that of a failed asylum seeker with no right to remain in this country”.

He said the woman, and the baby’s father, had opposed Sunderland council’s application for the baby to be placed for adoption.

But the judge said adoption would give the baby the “best prospect” of growing up in a “safe and secure” way.

He said the baby’s father had been convicted of assaulting the woman - and also had mental health difficulties.

Sunderland council had become aware of the woman in 2013 when she was living in a refuge, having “fled domestic violence”, and was at “risk of imminent deportation”, said Judge Wood.